This Pesticide May be Harming Much More than Just the Honeybees

A recent study conducted by researchers at Harvard University reinforced what European scientists realized long ago, neonicotinoid pesticides are behind the massive bee die-offs seen around the world. While neonicotinoids are under an emergency two year ban in Europe, the U.S. EPA has not moved to curb the use of these potentially deadly insecticides despite this new evidence, and won’t take another look at the impact of these insecticides until 2018.

Neonicotinoids (neonics) are believed to be the most widely used insecticide in the world. They are applied on soil, seed, timber and animal pests as well as foliar treatments for crops including: cereals, cotton, grain, legumes, potatoes, pome fruits, rice, turf and hundreds of other vegetables.

But how much of the world ecosystem is affected by these pesticides? Just the birds, bees, dogs, and butterflies? Just in China, America, or European countries? Try Everything; the whole ecosystem.

According to the Worldwide Integrated Assessment on the risks of neonicotinoids and fipronil to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, nothing is exempt from adverse side effects from exposure to this chemical pesticide.

In particular, invertebrates such as earthworms — which fertilize and improve soil conditions — are at the greatest risk of exposure. Additionally, theres an inevitable “butterfly effect” in affecting the butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The chemicals become imbedded into the cellular structure of the plants which then transfer into whatever consumes them.

To make matters worse, neonics have been found in up to 90% of the water ways in US agricultural areas.

It’s a constant effort to gain and spread awareness about the worldly risks of using harmful chemical pesticides. Take a stand against these harmful chemicals by signing this petition to ban these pesticides until more testing can be done, it only needs 7,000 more signatures! You can also use this helpful list of neonic based pesticides to help you avoid them at home, work, and the home improvement store. Check out the video below for additional information:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nick Bernabe is the owner and lead editor of the website TheAntiMedia.org, an activist, blogger, and the original founder and spokesman of the March Against Monsanto movement. He is also a guest contributor to The Mind Unleashed. Please follow his Facebook page by clicking here.

Image credit: flickr creative commons